Month: November 2009

TEHRAN POLICE USED TEARGAS TO DISPERSE RALLY

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.11.2009 14:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Police used batons and teargas to break up an
opposition protest in central Tehran on Wednesday, while huge crowds
staged a noisy anti-US rally nearby to mark the storming of the
American embassy by students 30 years ago.

Witnesses said the violent clashes occurred at Haft-e-Tir square in
the heart of the capital when riot police armed with batons and firing
teargas moved in on a crowd of several hundred opposition supporters
staging a protest. The protesters, who were chanting "Death to the
dictator," refused to disperse and dozens were beaten or arrested.

Groups of pro-government hardliners also gathered at the square
chanting "Death to America."

Wednesday’s anniversary, which has turned into a cornerstone of the
Islamic regime, marks the capture by radical Islamist students of
the US embassy compound on November 4, 1979 — just months after the
Islamic revolution toppled the US-backed shah.

The students, who took 52 American diplomats hostage and held them
for 444 days, said they were responding to Washington’s refusal to
hand over the deposed shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

The two countries broke diplomatic ties after the event, which have
yet to be restored.

ARMENIA INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING RELATIONS WITH KUWAIT

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.11.2009 19:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ As part of his state visit to Kuwait, the President
of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan met with the director of the investment fund
of Kuwait Bader Mohammad Al Saadi. During the meeting the Armenian
President spoke about Armenia’s readiness to cooperate with the fund,
creating necessary conditions for the successful implementation of
various investment programs. Agriculture, energy, real estate and
mining were pointed as possible areas for cooperation.

Serzh Sargsyan also met with Director General of Fund for Economic
Development Abdulwahab Ahmed Al-Bader. During the meeting the President
of Armenia underlined that the official Yerevan is interested in
promoting cooperation in various spheres and ready to establish
cooperation with the Fund. In turn, General Director of the fund
attached importance to fund’s involvement in the economic development
of Armenia.

During the visit, Serzh Sargsyan also met with the head of the RA
National Assembly speaker and the prime minister of Kuwait Jassem
Mohammad AlHoraffi and Nasser Al Mohammad Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.

"This is my first visit to the Persian Gulf region. Armenia
is interested in deepening relations with Kuwait and other Gulf
countries and parliaments in this respect can play a significant role,
" Serzh Sargsyan said during his meeting with the speaker of the
Kuwaiti parliament.

During the meeting with the prime minister issues of bilateral economic
cooperation were discussed. Serzh Sargsyan suggested to establish an
intergovernmental commission between Armenia and Kuwait.

The parties agreed that the opening of diplomatic missions in Yerevan
and Al Kuwait will contribute to further development of relations and
two foreign ministries were instructed to intensify consultations on
the issue. The parties also agreed to accelerate accelerate the process
of concluding an agreement on encouragement and mutual protection of
investments, press service of the Armenia’s president reports.

SERZH SARGSYAN HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF OIC’S TAKING BALANCED DECISIONS ON KARABAKH

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.11.2009 20:19 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Within the frameworks of his official visit to
Kuwait, President Serzh Sargsyan met with sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad
al-Jaber al-Sabah. During the meeting, Kuwaiti emir expressed belief
that Mr. Sargsyan’s visit would promote development and cooperation in
various spheres. "There are no problems and obstacles for developing
our relations. Such high-level meetings contribute to broadening ties,"
sheikh al-Sabah said. In his turn, Serzh Sargsyan expressed Armenia’s
interest in developing political dialogue and cultural and economic
ties with Kuwait, stressing in that context Armenian community’s
role. Yerevan is ready to discuss and ensure favorable atmosphere
for realization of investment programs in Armenia, President said.

Parties exchanged views over current conflict settlement processes
and discussed regional security issues. Serzh Sargyan briefed Kuwaiti
leader on current stage of RA-Turkish rapprochement and Karabakh
process. Armenian President expressed belief that opening of diplomatic
representations in both countries would contribute to more active
consultations between Armenian and Kuwaiti Foreign Ministries, leading
to more balanced approaches during discussions within international
organizations. In that connection, President stressed that lack
of information on Karabakh conflict and unacceptable and improper
speculations by Azerbaijan often led Organization of Islamic Conference
(OIC) to make inappropriate decisions over the issue.

After negotiations, RA President and Kuwaiti leader attended ceremony
of signing inter-governmental agreements on agricultural, economic,
educational and tourism spehres, as well as agreement on avoiding
double taxation on income and immovable property, RA President’s
press service reports.

ARTAK DAVTYAN: BY OPENING BORDER WITH ARMENIA TURKEY ABSOLUTELY IGNORES BAKU’S CLAIMS

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.11.2009 19:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "World is positively disposed to opening of last
closed borders, and that may help resolve Karabakh conflict," Artak
Davtyan, Head of NA Standing Committee on Science, Education, Culture,
Youth and Sport, told a news conference in Yerevan.

According to him, Turkey absolutely ignores Baku’s claims by
opening border with Armenia. "Abdullah Gul assists in development of
Armenian-Turkish relations," Head of Committee stressed, adding that
normalization of Armenia’s ties with three neighbors might guarantee
stability in region.

RUGBY AND GOLF TO RETURN TO OLYMPICS S IN 2016

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.11.2009 20:16 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The International Olympic Committee announced in
Copenhagen that rugby and golf will return to the Games in 2016 in
Rio de Janeiro.

Rugby and golf both made their Olympic debuts at the second modern
games in Paris in 1900. Golf was played again only at the 1904 St.

Louis Games, and 15-a-side rugby was featured three more times,
its last appearance in the 1924 Paris Olympics.

Their status for the 2020 Olympics will be reviewed by the IOC in 2017.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

KURD ISSUE – TURKEY’S PRIMARY CONCERN

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.11.2009 20:28 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "In all probability, Armenia-Turkey Protocols’
ratification at Turkish parliament is to be expected next year,"
Caucasus Institute Director, politologist Alexander Iskandaryan told
PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. "Kurd issue is Turkey’s primary concern,
Armenian issue is not that important at the moment. Protocols might
be ratified parallel to heated discussions on Kurd issue, not earlier
than February though," Iskandaryan emphasized.

At the same time, he noted that Armenia, too, is in no rush to ratify
Protocols, which are not even presented to RA Constitutional Court,
which is to endorse protocols’ submittal to parliament.

ARTHUR GEVORGYAN: ARMENIAN JUDO CHAMPIONSHIP WAS QUITE A SUCCESS

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.11.2009 14:39 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In an interview with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter,
Armenian national judo team’s chief coach Arthur Gevorgyan said
Armenia’s participation was quite a success. "What makes me happy is
that representatives from Armenian regions and Karabakh had successful
performance in championship. Besides, young participants became worthy
rivals of such experienced judo athletes as Hovhannes Davtyan (WC
2009 bronze medal winner), Armen Nazaryan (2005 Champion of Europe)
and others," he noted.

According to chief coach, championship results will serve as a basis
for forming Armenian national team which will take part in 2010 rating
tournament. Training session is due in a couple of days’ time.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN NEO-CONSERVATIVES URGE AUTHORITIES TO RESPECT THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.11.2009 20:30 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Central Committee of RA National Neo-Conservative
Movement has expressed its protest against authorities’ counteractions
and initiatives. Its members claim that Yerevan Municipality has twice
rejected their request of holding a protest rally which was expected
to bring together over 100 participants.

In their statement, activists complain that their office has been
under police inspection for 2 days running. According to Central
Committee representatives, such isolation of Armenian youth will lead
to their demoralization.

Neo-Conservatives have estimated authorities’ steps as violation
of their fundamental human rights. In that connection, National
Neo-Conservative Movement Expresses its protest, and appeals to
President and Prime Minister to ensure their constitutional right of
voicing their opinions and viewpoints.

ARMENOPHOBIA GAINING IMPETUS IN TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.11.2009 14:56 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenophobia is gaining impetus in Turkey and
Azerbaijan, Xenophobia Prevention Initiative NGO founder Tigran
Kocharyan told a news conference in Yerevan.

"In Bursa, hosting Armenia-Turkey football match, Armenian journalists
had a good chance to feel the anti -Armenian mood, while in a bus
at which stones were thrown," the expert noted. According to him,
Armenian information filed is supporting tolerance towards Ankara
and Baku, which suggests Armenian nation’s lack of self respect.

Tigran Kocharyan emphasized the necessity of developing unified
state policy in Armenian information field to determine methods of
information war to be employed against Azeri media.

SERZH SARGSYAN MET KUWAIT’S ARMENIAN COMMUNITY

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.11.2009 20:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Within state visit frameworks, Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan met Kuwait’s Armenian Community representatives. RA
President briefed Kuwait Armenians on Armenia-Turkey rapprochement
process and NKR conflict settlement issue, agreements reached,
emphasizing the importance of Armenian identity preservation and
the unity between Armenia and Diaspora, presidential press service
reported.